Auchenstroan Coloured Ryelands
We are Adrian and Nicole Doyle and this is our web site where we show our life on our small holding and showcase the products that we sell.
Auchenstroan Blog
This is not the the first story about drystane dykes and probably won’t be the last. Most of the ground here is soft and so, over time, the dykes subside. Given a dry stone dyke is essentially two walls leaning against each other, if one side sinks faster than the other, then all those stones […]
This summer’s been a bit funny weatherwise, after a hot and dry May and June (so dry that we ran out of water at one point), the heavens opened and it’s been dreich ever since. One thing is certain though, rain or shine there are always plenty of flies buzzing around. This part of Galloway […]
A couple of weeks ago as I was cleaning out the field shelter, the sheep milling about me ‘helping’, I happened to notice Vi had some discharge around her nose. A clear nasal discharge is usually nothing to worry about, but Vi’s was definitely on the green side. Oh, I immediately thought, Pneumonia? Botfly? An […]
We have a large area for growing veggies; six rectangles of about 2 x 4 metres. We like to grow a mixture of root and leaf crops, tomatoes and herbs. Growing our own is really satisfying and it tastes delicious too. Plus our nearest supermarket is an hour away so it’s nice and convenient. Our […]
Since last week’s story about shearing, we still had one sheep left to shear – sweet Vera. Vera has photo-sensitive skin and doesn’t respond well to the close shave given by electric blades. Last year I hand-clipped her and she had a much more comfortable summer as a result. Giving Vera a haircut is now […]
Last Saturday I was just back from walking the dogs and was sitting down for a cuppa when the phone rang. It was 7am so I grabbed it hoping it would be Guy our shearer. Happily it was, he said he’d be with us at 9.30 and to bring the sheep down and into the […]
Progress with the hen “cuddle training” since my last blog story has been a slow. Mainly because I have been super busy holding the fort. Adrian took a full-time job at the start of the year which means that I’m juggling more plates on the smallholding. The hen cuddle training has continued but not as […]
Last year we came to the realisation that our hens had gone a little too feral for our liking. This might not seem to be a problem on the surface of it, indeed if asked, the hens would probably say they had a lovely time with their wild camping expeditions and minimal interference from two […]
For the past few months we’ve been bringing our friendly cockerel Cherokee into the kitchen to perform a minor procedure on his feet. It all started one day last summer when we noticed him looking a bit down. On inspection, we discovered a nodule on each foot between his toes. We suspected these might be […]
Our chicks who hatched last summer have grown into big, beautiful hens. It sounds cliche, but it’s hard to imagine they were once inside eggs. When we collected our box of fertile eggs from a local farm last May we were told they were “Black Orpingtons”. I confess, we’re not too clued up on hen […]
Over the weekend while Adrian has been busy adding a shrubbery to the hen run, my job has been to get the veggie patch ready for planting. Spring is nearly upon us and our seeds are sitting in their little packets on the kitchen shelf just bursting to get out and transform themselves into plants. […]
There’s a job we should probably do every year but it usually ends up being every two years or even every three or dare I admit it, every four. This is because it’s not the most exciting of jobs and nor is it necessarily an urgent job. It’s one of those jobs that you can […]
Reviews
If you would like to send us a review, please email us your comments or send them via our contact page, many thanks.
Review for felted fleece rug workshop
Posted by Helen Kennefick on 6th August 2023
“Nicole is a truly wonderful teacher; kind, patient and made me feel so welcome. Having never attempted anything like this in the past I was nervous but I had no need. Nicole explained everything step by step demonstrating each part and letting me repeat ensuring my technique was spot on.
By the end of the day I came home well on the way to a stunning rug. The instructions to complete the rug at home were brilliant, I can’t believe I made it. I am delighted!
I must also mention Nicole’s cake is immense and her dogs are so adorable. “
Review for felted fleece rug workshop
Posted by Dawn Phimister on 5th July 2023
“We both really enjoyed your workshop. What a lovely place and such a fantastic host. You made us feel very welcome and went above and beyond my expectations. You were especially kind when I was daft enough to have left our packed lunch behind whipping us up a delicious homemade lunch. I am very thankful for the very well laid out instruction booklet you made for us to guide me in your absence.”
Review for felted fleece rug workshop
Posted by Helen Poremba on 5th July 2023
“I had such a lovely time on Saturday. You have created a fantastic workshop experience. I feel like I did a lot, and learnt a lot, but at the same time I didn’t feel that I was under any time pressure at all. The whole day was so nicely paced. Also, to have that all backed up with thorough written instructions and information is just amazing.”
Review for felted fleece rug workshop
Posted by Judith Gentry on 23rd May 2023
“I thoroughly enjoyed this days learning. The location and facilities are excellent as is Nicole. The day was relaxed with excellent tea and cakes to keep you going. The rug I have brought home is just gorgeous and I shall definitely be making more. If you love working with fleeces this is definitely a day you will love. Nicole was friendly, approachable and knowledgeable which made the day very enjoyable. You also get notes and a video, given on a memory stick, to help support you once home.”
Review for felted fleece rug – beigey-grey Scotch Mule
5/5 – thank you again
Posted by Lori on 2nd December 2022
“I absolutely love the new rug you made! It’s really beautiful.”
Review for Jacob wool felted fleece rug
5/5 – thank you so much!
Posted by Rachael Sivyer on 7th September 2022
“Just received my rug, all I can say is WOW!!! It’s stunning 😍 😍😍 ”
Review for felted fleece rug – Swaledale Mule
5/5 – stunning
Posted by Ann Garbett on 10th March 2022
“The rug arrived and is stunning. Thank you for your beautiful, ethical craft”
Review for sheep friendly rugs
5/5 – thank you!
Posted by Nate Holbrook on 7th October 2021
“My wife and I got our rugs and absolutely love them! We appreciate the beautiful craftsmanship and our pups love cuddling on them.”
Review for sheep friendly rug
5/5 – thank you!
Posted by Susie Carter on 14th May 2021
“Just a note to thank you for this gorgeous sheepskin. It has warmed my new home so much and I’m very grateful!”
Review for sheep friendly rugs
5/5 – beautiful!
Posted by Julie Eckstrom on 25th February 2021
They are absolutely beautiful — I keep finding more and more depth in them every time I look at them. And they feel incredible, especially on cold toes in the morning! Thank you so much for these treasures!
Review for felted fleece rug
5/5 – thank you
Posted by Jess Dobkin on 3rd February 2021
Thanks again and again to you and your sheep. This rug is such a special gift for a special occasion that will be treasured for a very long, long time
Review for felted fleece rug – soft cream curls
5/5 – thank you
Posted by Julie McCoy on 16th September 2020
Thank you for my beautiful rug, I am absolutely delighted with it!! It goes perfectly in my room and is so lovely and soft…
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